Apparatus and process for making pipes



J. PERLA APPARATUS AND PROCESS F`OR` MAKING PIPES sheets-sheet 1 Filed Nov. 20, 1940 Apri1v17,1945. J: FERLA f 2,374,087

APPARATUS AND PROCESSy FOR MAKING PIPES Filed Nov. 20, 1940 2 Sheet-s-Shet 2 NR i' @utented Apr. l?, 1945 erroneous eNn recense son ewes .lohn Ferla, Camden,

Asbestos Cement Pipe Competir, s corporation of New dessen J., assigner to U. S. Emden, NJ..

seelischen November' so, icio, sensi No. sconce (ci. ess-so) l0 Claims.

This invention relates to en improvement in e.

method of and apparatus for producing pipes, und is animprovement on the pipe producing systems set forth in my prior patent on Method of producing` fibrous cementitious tubes, No. 2,177,643, granted October 3l, 1939, and on my applications for Apparatus for producing pipes, Ser. No. 247,507, filed December 23, i938, and now Patent No. 2,283,921, granted May 26, i942, end for Machine for producing pipes, Ser. No. 28,98'7, led July i7, i939, now Patent No. 2,364,061, granted December 5, 19M.

My prior patent and applications, above-mentioned, disclosed the production of pipes or tuloes formed of asbestos cement material, Vin which e hell coller was formed on the pipe, as en integral port thereof during the formation of the pipe for intel-fitting connection `with a. companion pipe. En the formation oi such a hell collar, the eshestos cement material thereof was' formed of spproximately the seme thickness and strength es the herrel of the pipe, and Whileit would withstand es much pressure es the barrel of the pipe, it is often desirable or required that the hell he capable of withstanding sppreciehly greater pressure than thefherrel of the pipe.

The object of this invention is to improve the hunner of forming the pipes, whereby e hell coller will he formed on .each pipe es it is produced, which willewithstend appreciahly greater pressure than the herrel of the pipe, preferably .hy the formation of the hell of greater thickness then. the barrel, with capability of varying the thickness of the hell according to the relative pressures desired in the respective portions oi the pipe.

This relatively greeter is formed preferably by pre-forming dninner wall portion ofthe heli about which portion the outer portion of the hell is formed during the -formetion of the barrel of the pipe. The thickness of the bell may be varied relative to the hei-ml by varying the thickness of the pre formed portion thereof. so es to provide the desired relative strength oi the bell es mambo re quired, according to the thickness of 'the wall thereof.

Another object of the invention is to improve the character of the formed pipes, so as to provide a pipe having e body portion constructed` of asbestos cement material, while one or both of the outside and inside surfaces thereof may he thickness' of the seu I e formed pipe thereon:

incorporation of reinforcing material between successive layers thereof.

The invention is shown in a preferred embed# ment thereof, together with a. modicati'on, in the sccompsm'ing drawings. in which:

Fie. i is e vertice! sectional view through the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is e. detail lend vievv of a. portion thereof showing the driving mechanism;

Fig. 3 is un end elevationirom end of the machine, withl parts in section end parts omitted for cleerness;

Fig. d is e similar view of the hopper structum; y

Fig. 5 is e, quarter section oi the mandrel with Fig. o is e, similer view of the mandrel with its coller; Fig, 'Z is e' side elevstioh of e; conic sleeve for s calender roll;

Fig; d is e, similerriew of a, cylindrical sleeve l therefor;

formed of smooth binding or cementitious ma- .terial to impart the desired smooth appearance to the pipo, or the pipe xnay be reinforced by the .iinishing und his. t is o, longitudinei'section through a. pre formed hell portion on 'its coller;

Fie. i0. is c iongitudihel section through e rellfi lolite on e. um: with. seid mandrel elevetion; end

Fig. il is e, transverse section therethrough on the line illll oihie.' l0..

The nie-chine shown gener-elly in Figs. l anelli is tedepted for operation sind use in the manner set loi-th somewhet -in my prior application on Appdrstus' for producinshines, Ser. No. 247,507, now Patent No. 2,2t32l, inasmuch as the pipe is formed on e. mandrel in co-operction with calender rolls adopted for coaction therewith.

The mandrel is designated generally by the numerel i end may be constructed either. of one piece, or, as shown in Fig. 5, of a core 2 :surrounded by 'o shell t which is removablefrom the core to permit reuse of theletter during the drying oi the formed 'pipe on the shell asset forth in my application, Ser. No. 247,507, now Patent No. 2,283,921. 'l

Surrounding the mandrel-I t one end thereof is s. coller 4- removably sleeved over the external surface of the inendrel undl preferably formed of metal to retain the shape thereof. This collar hss a reduced end 5 as shown in Fiss. 1, 5 and 9, end is constructed to shape the inside of the hell coller oo the pipe to be formed while the reduced end l i I receive end ebutthe #bld oi an adjacent pipe. The thickne'si;v of tiieltvil of the collar-'4 may be varied icoordint to the desired inner diameter of the opposite orma 'd shoulder therein to the bell. The collar 4 preferably has a section BI molded or otherwise formed thereon when said collar is removed from the mandrel I, as shown in Fig. 9, after which the collar 4 with its pre-formed bell section BI is slipped over the end of the mandrel, but preparatory to receiving the material thereon to form the pipe, as shown in Fig. 5. The body portion of the pipe is designated P therein and constitutes` the barrel thereof, at one end of which an enlarged bell portion B 'is shown.

The opposite ends of the mandrel I are constructed with trunnions 6 vadapted to support the mandrel and for rolling the same into and out of the machine, which trunnions are supported on tracks 1, extending transversely of the machine as shown in Fig. 3.

The mandrel i may be provided with flanges E secured on the trunnions o at opposite ends thereof, if desired, to confine the opposite ends of the formed pipe and to prevent the loss of material therefrom.

A pair of calender rolls designated generally by the numerals 9 and IB are arranged in spaced relation as shown in Fig. 3, adapted to receive the mandrel I therebetween, which calender rolls correspond substantially in their manner of adjustment and operation with those set forth in my prior application, Ser. No. 247,507, now Patent No. 2,283,921. Each of the calender rolls i and I is formed of a cylindrical body portion mounted on a shaft II, at one end of which body portion are journalled one or more conical sleeves I2 (Fig. 7) and a cylindrical sleeve I3 (Fig. 8) which are journaled for turning movement relative to each other and relative to the body portion with suitable packing therebetween as set forth in my application, Ser. No. 284,987, now Patent No. 2,364,061. The opposite ends of each calender roll should be provided with collars It thereon to confine the material therebetween if collars are not provided on the mandrel.

The mandrel I and the barrel portion of the pipe formed Athereon are rotated by the contact therewith of the calender rolls 9 and Ill, while the sleeves I2 and I3 are rotated by the collar 4 and bell portion BI bearing thereagainst. The speed of rotation of these parts may be varied with changes in pipe diameter as well as with variations in thickness of the barrel and bell of theppipe. 'f

The shafts II are l slidably mounted journaled in bearing blocks on guideways I8, extending transversely of the shafts, as shown in Fig. 3, and

having guides I1 on opposite ends thereof slidably mounted on standards I8 extending upwardly in parallel relation at each end of the machine.

Connected with each bearing block I5 and extending outwardly therefrom is a piston rod I8 attached to a piston in a cylinder 2l, which piston and cylinder constitute a hydraulic power device adapted for moving its connected bearing block I5 on the guideway I 6. Such hydraulic power devices are arranged in opposed relation at each end of the machine and are adapted for Joint inward and outward movement of the bearing blocks I5 in moving the associated calender rolls 9 and I0 toward or from the mandrel mounted therebetween. r

The guideways I6 are supported on connecting rods 22 extending downwardly to pistons 23 in v cylinders 24, which pistons and cylinders 23 and 24 constitute hydraulic power devices arranged in pairs at opposite ends of the machine for supmaintain the desired porting the respective guideways I B, and are adapted to receive duid power under the same hydraulic pressure as the cylinders 2|, suicient to raise the parts to elevated positions when desired. The connecting rods 22 have fixed thereon abutmnts 25 constructed for engaging the trackways l after predetermined upward movement of the pistons 23, to move said trackways to elevated positions, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. These power devices 23-24 serve also to hold the power devices 2li-2| in `such positions as to pressure of the calender rolls 9 and I0 with their sleeves I2 and I3 on the mandrel and the formed pipe thereon.

Mounted beneath the calender rolls a and I@ in position to be disposed therebetween and to support the mandrel thereon, is a third calender roll '26, shown in Figs. l, 3 and 4, and preferably constructed substantially the same as the calender rolls 9 and I0, but shown as having a fabric covering 21 of suitable absorbent material, as shown in Fig. 4, although the calender roll instead may be constructed with circumferential grooves if desired to receive moisture from a spray 28 for washing excess material from the fabric covering or periphery of the calender roll. The calender roll 26 is mounted on a shaft 29, beneath which is a shaft 30, carrying a rotating brush 3| for removing particles of material from the'periphery of the calender roll 26. A wringer 32 bears against the periphery of the calender roll 26 to remove excess moisture therefrom, as described in my application, Ser. No. 284,987, now Patent No. 2,364,061.

'I'he calender rolls 9, I0 and 2S are adapted to be power driven. as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. for which purpose the shafts II carry gears 33, xed thereon and each meshing with an idle gear 34, which idle gears 34 are driven jointly by a main gear 35. The idle gears 3K3 are Journaled on stub shafts 36 mounted in slots ill' in a. bearing support 38, capable of inward and outward movement relative to each other, while the gear 35 is mounted on a stub shaft il@ adjustably mounted in a slot 4U in said bearing support for vertical adjustment relative thereto.

be connected These adjustments may be necessary to accommodate for gears of different sizes that may be substituted on the different shafts to provide for the proper and desired relative speeds thereof. The gear 35 is driven by a pinion 4I mounted on a shaft 42 connected by sprocket gearing 43 with a drive shaft 44. Said drive shaft d4 is driven by sprocket gearing 45 from a. power unit 45 preferably comprising speed reducing gearing and motor.

'I'he shaft 29 carrying the calender roll 28 has a pair of sprockets 41 and 48 keyed thereon and connected respectively by sprocket chains 4S and 50 with sprocket wheels 5I and 52 journaled for free rotation relative to the Shaft 44. The sprocket alternately with the shaft 44 by clutches 53 and 54, whereby-one or the other of the sprocket wheels 5I and 52 will be driven by the shaft 44 for rotating the shaft 29, driving the lower calender roll 26 at a speed depending upon which of the sprocket wheels 5I and 52 is connected with the drive shaft 44. Normally, the clutch 53 would be closed to drive the calender roll 26 through the sprocket wheel 5I, chain 49 and sprocket wheel 4l, so as to impart to the lower calender roll 28, the same speed of rota.- tion as that at which the calender rolls i and I# are driven through the gearing shown in Fig.

wheels 5I and 52 are adapted to rial, such as cement. The

assegna? 2,' but after the completeformation of the pipe on the mandrel, the clutch t is` disconnected and the clutch 54 connected to drive the lower calender roll at a slower speed than the calender rolls a and lll to release the formed pipe from .the mandrel.

lhe material used in forming the pipes is supplied from main hoppers 55 to secondary hoppers 55 whichl extend throughout the length .of the calender rolls and have agitators or disturbers 5l therein, as well as distributing brushes 58. From the lower endsof the hoppers 5,6, extend nozzles 59 which are connected therewith for relative sliding and oscillating movement. The lower ends of the nozzles 5S are connected with supports G0 attached to the bearing blocks l5, whereby outward or vertical movement of said bearing blocks will cause corresponding movement of the nozzles 59 to maintain the lower ends of the nozzles directly over the calender rolls 9 and I0.

Suspended between the supports 6l) is a bridging support 6l connected with each of the supports 60 by bolt and slot connections 62 permitting lateral sliding movement of the supports 60 relative thereto. The bridging support 6l carries a nozzle 63. extending downward from a hopper 84 adapted to contain finishing matenozzle 63 is capable of vertical movement relative to the hopper 64 upon the raising or lowering movements vof the rolls 9 and l0 but remains in a central position when said rolls are adjusted outward relative to each other.

In the formation of pipes in the apparatus described, the bell portion BI is formed initially on the collar 4 by moldingin any, suitable way, after which the collar `is applied to one end of the mandrel I, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, and the mandrel is inserted between the calender rolls 9 and l0, asshown in Fig. 3.

Then upon the operation of the calender rolls contact with the pipe leaving the latter free to be rolled along the trackways l to the discharge sidesof the machine while an empty mandrel i is brought in at the opposite sise thereof, into position to overlie the calender roll 2t between the' calender rolls and te. Then the parts are moved back to their full line positions in Fig. 3 and the forming operation is repeated.

The hopper 6d preferably contains a quantity of cement or smooth forming material which may be used to impart a smooth layer to the inside or outside or both of the pipe, as by supplying a layer of the cement or other suitable material from the hopper 6d directly to the periphery of the mandrel before the supply is started from the hoppers 56 and then at the completion of the forming of the pipe after the supply of asbestos cement material is discontinued, an a itional layer may then be supplied fromthe hopper 66 ,to provide a smooth surface to the pipe.

Figs. 10 and 11 show the manner of forming a reinforced asbestoscement pipe in which a mandrel 1| has several layers of composition material applied thereto as indicated at 12, after which a band of reinforcing material'la is applied'therearound, which may be formed in any suitable manner, such as by wire mesh, basket shape, or the like, and this is then covered byadditional layers of asbestos cement material as shown at 14. When the layers 1.2, and 14 are compacted,

' the reinforcing material will be embedded therein and will strengthen and reinforce the walls of the pipe.

I claim:

1. A method of producing a pipe on a mandrel comprising applying a pre-formed bell portion to said mandrel and forming a layer of cementitious 9 and lo. these are initially moistened from sprays 55, and the asbestos cement or other composition or material from which the pipes are to be formed, is supplied through the nozzles l 'greater thickness than the barrel P, providing' for a materially greater strength therein as desired. The calender roll l0 has a packing roller 0I operating. to form a layer on the calender roll for transfer to the mandrel, whereby the loss of material'will be prevented in passing around the outside of the calender roll.

After the pipe has been formed of sired thickness. the operator disconnects the clutch 53 and closes the clutch 54 to operate the lower'calender roll 26 at` slower speed than the calender rolls 9 and i0 which thereby tends to separate the formed pipe from the mandrel.

When the formation of the pipe is completed, the operator retracts the calender rolls 8 and I0 by the power devices 20T-2|, and operates the power devices 23-24 to lift the assembly including the formed pipe on the mandrel subthe dematerial around said mandrel and the pre-l formed bell portion to form a pipe on the mandrel with a bell of greater thickness than the remainder of the pipe. y l

2. A method of producing a pipe on a mandrel comprising applying a pre-formed bell portion to `the mandrel,V thereafter rotating themandrel and applying asbestos cement material thereto and to the pre-formed bell portion, whereby thecomposite bell is of greater thickness thanthe remainder of the pipe formed on the mandrel.

3. A process of producing a pipe on a mandrel comprising the steps of producing a pre-formed l`bell portion on a collar, applying said collar to lthe mandrel. thereafter .rotating the mandrel with the pre-formed bell portion thereon, applying a layer or layers of asbestos cement material to said mandrel and simultaneously' to the preformed bell portion producing a pipe on the mandrel having a composite bell of greater thickness than the remainder of the pipe.

4. A. process of producing a pipe comprising applying a-layer or layers of cementitious material to a mandrel, calendering the material on the mandrel by rotary pressure thereagainst at uniform speed at a plurality of different points therearound and` thereafter reducing the speed l 4 at one of said points relative to the speed of calendering action at' another point to loosen cthe pipe on the mandrel.

5. In an apparatus for producing a pipe, the

combination of a mandrel of uniform cylindrical surface from end to end thereof, a collar removably telescoped over an end-of the mandrel and adapted to support a preformed bell portion thereon, means for applying a layer or layers of' asbestos cement material to the periphery of the mandrel and the periphery of the bell portion, a plurality of calender rolls bearing against the material applied thereto at a plurality of spaced circumferential points, means for driving said calender rolls at uniform circumferential speedsI and means for disconnecting one of the calender rolls from the driving means and driving the same at slower circumferential speed than the remaining calender rolls.

6. In an apparatus for producing a pipe, the combination of a. plurality of calender rolls adapted to act respectively on a mandrel therebetween, means for driving the calender rolls at uniform circumferential speed, and means for disconnecting one of the calender rolls from the driving means and for driving the same at lower circumferential speed than the remaining rolls for loosening a formed pipe on the mandrel.

7. In `an apparatus for producing a pipe, the combination of a calender roll adapted to cooper-y ate with a mandrel, means for moistening said calender roll, means for applying a layer of cementltlous material to the moistened surface of the calender roll, and a pressing roll in position to bear against the periphery of the calender -roll to press the moistened layer thereon for transier therefrom to the mandrel.

8. In an apparatus for producing a pipe, the combination of a pair of calender rolls adapted to receive a mandrel mounting said calender rolls for bodily movement toward and from each other, a pair of hoppers having discharge spouts connected therewith for lateral swinging movement relative thereto,

means connecting the spouts with the calender mounting means to hold the spouts in position for discharge on the calendersin different lateral positions thereof, a hopper mounted between the inst-mentioned hoppers and having a discharge spout in position to direct material onto the mandrel, supporting means for the last-mentioned spout, and means connecting said supporting means with the connecting means of the firstmentioned spouts for movement of the first-mentioned spouts relative to "the intermediate spout.

9. In an apparatus for producing pipe, the combination of a calender roll mounted for rotary movement about an approximately horizontal axis in position to receive a mandrel thereon, a pair of calender rolls mounted for rotary movement about axes approximately parallel with the firstmentioned axis and on opposite sides thereof above said first-mentioned axis in position to bear against opposite sides of said mandrel approximately ln alignment with the axis thereof, means for applying pressure in opposed directions against the pair of calender rolls, and means for raising and lowering said pair of calender rolls and the pressure applying means thereof relative 'to the first-mentioned calender roll and the mandrel thereon.

10.A A process oi' producing a pipe on a mantherebetween, means cementltlous material,

drel comprising forming a layer of cementltlous material on said mandrel, and simultaneously with the forming of said layer permanently attachlng a pre-formed bell portion to thereof to provide a bell on said pipe.

11. A process of producing a pipe on a mandrel comprising mounting a pre-formed bell portion in fixed portion relative to the mandrel, and forming a. layer of cementitious material on the mandrel and on the pre-formed bell portion to form a pipe on the mandrel with a bell collar thereon. l2. process of producing a pipe on a mandrel comprising mounting a pre-formed bell portion in fixed portion relative to tle mandrel, and forming a layer of cementltlous material on the mandrel and on the pre-formed bell portion to form a pipe on the mandrel with a bell collar thereon of greater thickness than the remainder of the pipe. 13. A process of producing a pipe comprising applying a layer or layers of cementltlous matelrial to a mandrel, calendering the material on the mandrel by applying rotary pressure thereagainst at uniform speed at a plurality of diiferent points therearound, and thereafter applying rotary pressure to said material on the mandrel at a different speed at one of said points than the speed of the rotary pressure applied at another of said points to loosen the material on the mandrel.

14. In an apparatus for producing pipe, the

combination of a roll mounted for turning movement about an approximately horizontal axis in position to receive a mandrel thereon, a pair'of calender rolls mounted for turning movement about axes approximately parallel with the firstmentioned axis in position to bear against substantially opposite sides of said mandrel, and hydraulic means for applying pressure on the calender rolls substantially in opposed directions against approximately opposite sides of the mandrel and for raising and lowering the calender rolls relative to the rst-mentioned roll and the mandrel.

- 15. A process of producing a pipe comprising shaping a partial bell portion, forming s. tube of and simultaneously with the formation of the tube applying a coating of fsaid cementltlous material integral with said tube to a surface of the partial bell portion thereby permanently attaching said yshaped partial bell portion to an end of the tube to provide a bell thereon.

16. A process of producing a pipe on a mandrel comprising shaping a partial bell portion of cementitious material, forming a tube of cementltlous material on said mandrel, and simultaneously with the formation of the tube applying a coating of said cementltlous material integral with said tube to asurface of the partial bell portion thereby permanently attaching said shaped partial bell portion to an end of the tube to provide a bell thereon.

an endy 

